Hundreds of thousands of travelers were left stranded across the Middle East on Sunday after coordinated U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran triggered widespread airspace closures and airport shutdowns, paralyzing one of the world’s busiest aviation corridors.

Tourists and business passengers crowded hotels and terminals, scrambling to rebook flights or reach airlines through overwhelmed call centers. With little clarity on when airspace would reopen, several governments advised their citizens to shelter in place.

Major regional hubs — including Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport and Hamad International Airport in Doha — suspended operations following reported strikes. Dubai International, among the busiest airports globally and a key transit point between Europe, Africa and Asia, was among those affected.

In Dhaka, Bangladesh, prospective migrant worker Mohammad Abdul Mannan waited anxiously at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, determined to depart for the Gulf despite the escalating conflict.

“We have set out to go for work, and we must go,” he said. “My only concern is how to go abroad and how to earn an income.”

In Dubai, witnesses reported hearing fighter jets overhead and explosions, including a missile strike that hit the Fairmont Palm Hotel. Emirates Airline suspended all flights to and from Dubai until at least Monday afternoon, leaving thousands seeking alternative arrangements.

Louise Herrle and her husband, returning to Pittsburgh after touring Dubai and Abu Dhabi, saw their Washington-bound flight canceled with no immediate option to reschedule.

“We’re in the hotel room, we are not leaving it,” Herrle said. “You’re not going to give it up until we know we have a flight out of here.”

Thousands of Flights Canceled

Aviation analytics firm Cirium said the total number of stranded passengers is difficult to determine. However, it estimates that roughly 90,000 travelers transit daily through Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi on Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways alone.

Airspace closures extended across Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, according to flight-tracking services and government notices. More than 2,800 flights were canceled Sunday across the region, including in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt, according to FlightAware data. Major international airports — including London, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangkok, Istanbul, Colombo and Paris — also reported dozens of cancellations.

Air India suspended flights to and from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Qatar until Tuesday. Israel’s EL AL said it would prioritize repatriating stranded citizens once airspace reopens and halted ticket sales for flights through March 21 to accommodate affected passengers.

UAE authorities confirmed casualties from the strikes. Officials at Dubai International Airport reported four injuries. Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport said one person was killed and seven others injured in a drone strike. Kuwait International Airport also reported strikes. Iran has not publicly claimed responsibility.

Disruptions Expected to Persist

Airlines urged passengers to verify flight status online before traveling to airports. Several carriers offered rebooking waivers or full refunds, though industry analysts warned that disruptions could continue for days.

“For travelers, there’s no way to sugarcoat this,” said Henry Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research Group. “You should prepare for delays or cancellations for the next few days as these attacks evolve and hopefully end.”

Former Federal Aviation Administration official Mike McCormick said airspace may gradually reopen once military authorities clarify operational zones and assess ongoing missile threats.

The impact has rippled far beyond the Middle East. In Bali, Indonesia, more than 1,600 tourists were stranded after five Middle East-bound flights were canceled or postponed, airport authorities said.

Airlines operating long-haul routes through the region have begun rerouting flights south over Saudi Arabia, increasing travel times and fuel costs.

Kristy Ellmer, an American business traveler in Dubai, said she has booked multiple flights in anticipation of sudden reopenings while remaining cautious amid continuing explosions.

“You hear a lot of explosions at times — hundreds of them,” Ellmer said. “When we hear them, we don’t stay near the windows just in case the glass breaks.”

With airspace closures still in effect and tensions high, travelers worldwide face continued uncertainty as aviation authorities assess the security situation across the region.

The Association of German Airports (Association of German Airports (ADV)) has issued a warning that the aviation sector may soon face widespread disruption as jet fuel supply pressures continue to intensify.

Speaking to the Sunday edition of Germany’s Welt newspaper, ADV chief executive Ralph Beisel said airlines are increasingly likely to cancel services, particularly low-cost carriers and routes considered less essential for tourism demand.

Beisel noted that under an optimistic outlook for 2026, passenger traffic would remain stable. However, he cautioned that a more severe scenario could see airport capacity fall by around 10 percent. Across the aviation network, that reduction could translate into disruptions affecting as many as 20 million travellers.

Such a decline would likely lead to certain destinations losing direct connectivity altogether, while others would see fewer available flights and higher fares due to constrained supply.

The association pointed to geopolitical tensions affecting global energy flows as a key factor behind the disruption. The conflict involving Iran has unsettled oil transportation routes through the Strait of Hormuz, contributing to rising jet fuel costs.

According to Beisel, jet fuel prices have remained at roughly double pre-conflict levels for more than two months, with no immediate relief expected. He added that even when fuel is available, current price levels make it difficult for airlines to operate many routes profitably, raising the likelihood of further schedule reductions in the months ahead.

Source: Oman Daily Observer

Europe’s aviation sector is preparing contingency measures to address potential jet fuel shortages caused by escalating tensions in the Middle East, prompting regulators to approve broader flexibility in fuel use across the region.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) announced Friday that supply disruptions affecting the Middle East and Arabian Gulf have impacted the availability of Jet A-1 fuel, the standard aviation fuel used throughout Europe. In response, regulators and fuel providers are assessing the wider adoption of Jet A fuel, a similar grade commonly used in North America, including for aircraft traveling to European destinations.

EASA issued updated operational guidance intended to help airlines, airports, and fuel suppliers safely manage the introduction of Jet A into European aviation systems. Although Jet A and Jet A-1 are closely related fuels, the agency noted that they differ in several technical aspects, including freezing point and electrical conductivity, which require additional safety precautions during operations.

The regulator cautioned that introducing Jet A into infrastructure traditionally designed for Jet A-1 could pose operational and safety challenges if the transition is not carefully coordinated across the aviation industry. EASA emphasized that effective implementation would depend on close collaboration between airports, fuel companies, airlines, and aircraft manufacturers.

The European Commission also released separate recommendations aimed at helping the transport sector respond to any future fuel supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. While the Commission said there were currently no jet fuel shortages reported across the European Union, it stressed the importance of preparedness measures to maintain safe and uninterrupted flight operations.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) echoed concerns about the potential impact of prolonged regional instability on global aviation fuel supplies. Stuart Fox, IATA’s director of flight and technical operations, said allowing European carriers greater flexibility to alternate between Jet A and Jet A-1 fuel, similar to practices already used in Canada, could provide airlines with more operational options during supply shortages.

Fox said the transition would require strict operational oversight, particularly for flights operating in colder regions, where Jet A’s higher freezing point must be taken into account during route planning and aircraft performance calculations.

He also noted that airports and fuel suppliers would need structured procedures for introducing the alternative fuel grade safely, including updated handling processes, clear labeling systems, communication protocols, and enhanced quality control measures.

Europe has experienced increasing pressure on energy and aviation fuel costs as instability in the Middle East continues to disrupt shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. European refineries currently supply around 70% of the bloc’s jet fuel demand, while the remainder is imported, largely from Gulf nations.

Last month, International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol warned that continued disruptions could lead to jet fuel shortages across Europe within a relatively short period.

Source: Anadolu Ajansı

Saudi Arabia has inaugurated a second gateway for its Makkah Route Initiative in Morocco, marking a further step in efforts to simplify pilgrimage travel. The new facility was opened at Rabat-Salé International Airport in the initiative’s dedicated hall.

The launch ceremony was attended by Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Morocco, Dr Sami Al-Saleh, and Morocco’s Minister of Endowments, Ahmed Toufiq.

The Makkah Route Initiative is designed to enhance the travel experience for pilgrims from participating countries by handling key procedures before departure. According to Saudi Press Agency, the programme allows travellers to complete formalities in their home country, beginning with the electronic issuance of Hajj visas and the collection of biometric data.

Authorities then finalise entry procedures through the General Directorate of Passports, ensuring that pilgrims meet all health and regulatory requirements at the departure airport.

The initiative also covers the organisation of baggage, with luggage coded and sorted based on pilgrims’ transport and accommodation arrangements in Saudi Arabia. Upon arrival, pilgrims are transported directly by bus to their residences in Makkah and Madinah along designated routes, while partner agencies oversee the delivery of their belongings.

Source: ZAWYA

Emirates SkyCargo has introduced a new weekly freighter service to Toronto Pearson Airport, enhancing cargo connectivity between Canada and the United Arab Emirates while supporting expanding trade ties between the two markets.

The additional service is expected to provide Canadian exporters with increased access to international markets, reflecting a steady rise in bilateral trade. According to Emirates SkyCargo, exports from Canada to the UAE grew by 24% between 2023 and 2024, driven by improved air links and strengthening economic relations.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President at Emirates SkyCargo, described the launch as a key step in the airline’s broader network expansion strategy. He noted that the Toronto route aligns with evolving global trade corridors and adds 100 tonnes of weekly export capacity, supplementing existing cargo space available on passenger flights.

The service also enhances connectivity beyond the UAE. On inbound journeys, the freighter will stop in Amsterdam, facilitating trade between Canada and the European Union. This segment is expected to support the transportation of pharmaceuticals, perishable goods, and manufactured products into Canada.

Toronto Pearson officials welcomed the development, highlighting the airport’s role as Canada’s largest air cargo hub, handling roughly 45% of the country’s total cargo volume. Chief Commercial Officer Kurush Minocher said the new service strengthens the airport’s position as a key gateway for global trade and offers businesses more direct and reliable shipping options.

Emirates has been operating passenger flights to Toronto since 2007, playing a significant role in facilitating trade. Since 2023, the airline has transported more than 11,000 tonnes of export cargo from Canada, underlining its growing importance in the country’s logistics network.

Source: ZAWYA

The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority has taken action against four travel agencies, ordering their closure after they were found to be in violation of applicable regulations.

According to the authority, the decision reflects its continued efforts to reinforce regulatory oversight within the air transport industry and ensure strict adherence to national laws governing the sector.

The Air Transport Department, operating under the authority, said it is maintaining regular inspection campaigns targeting travel agencies and air cargo service providers. These checks are intended to verify compliance with established legal and operational standards.

Officials reiterated that the authority remains committed to strengthening monitoring procedures and improving enforcement measures across the industry.

The authority also urged all licensed entities to comply fully with relevant regulations and to avoid engaging in travel or air cargo operations without obtaining the required approvals from the competent department. It cited Article (3) of Law No. (3) of 2025, which governs licensing requirements and operational permissions in the sector.

Source: ZAWYA